Red-Hot rRookie Chilean-born professional Joaquin Niemann brilliantly upstaged the world’s best golfers to share the lead on the day one of the Memorial in Dublin, Ohio.
Niemann, 19 signed for a sizzling six-under par 65 to be tied atop of the board with Texas-based Mexican-born Abraham Archer and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama in the Jack Nicklaus hosted event.
The Santiago-born Niemann turned professional straight after April’s Masters and having qualified for the year’s first Major in capturing the Latin Amateur Championship.
Prior to turning professional, Nieman was the No.1 ranked amateur golfer in the world from May 2017 and up to and including this year’s Masters.
Included in his amateur victory resume was winning six Chilean professional events.
Red hot Chilean born Joakim Niemann shares the lead on day one of the Memorial
The PGA Tour afforded Niemann seven ‘invitation’ starts to earn full Tour membership and he has since contested four PGA Tour events finishing a best of a share of sixth in the Valero Texas Open and while he missed the cut in the Wells Fargo Championship and the AT & T Bryon Nelson, he shot closing round scores of 65 and 66 to share eighth place in last week’s Fort Worth Invitational.
And with two top-10s to his credit it means Niemann’s entry into the Wells Fargo and this week’s Memorial do not count towards the seven.
Also an even bigger incentive is that should he reach 365 non-PGA member points, and the equivalent of No. 125th on the 2017/18 money list it would secure his Tour card for the 2018/19 season.
In turning professional Niemann forfeited automatic entry into next fortnight’s U.S. Open and July’s (British) Open Championship at Carnoustie, Scotland.
However, Niemann is not concerned having banked $429,100 in the two events he’s played all four rounds.
The teenager capped his Memorial first round with five birdies in his opening seven holes and then after dropping a shot at his 11th Niemann birdied three of his five holes.
“It was really nice being out there and playing good golf as I made a lot of birdies,” he said.
“I hit it really good from tee to green, so really happy how it goes today.
“After having played in four tournaments and I have been playing really well, so my game is feeling really nice.
“Two of those were top-10s, so I have gained a lot of confidence in my game and I’m also feeling better and I feel able to be out here and play good golf.”
And despite his excellent form Niemann agrees the attention he has generated the current World No. 406 is coming all too quick.
“Yeah, it has been all really quick as two months ago I was playing the Masters as an amateur and right now I’m already played four tournaments as a pro and it feels really nice,” he said.
“I just really am enjoying what I’m doing now and still I love golf. So being out here, playing with the best players, it can’t be any better.”
But if there is one aspect of make-up he’s looking forward to change and that is turning 20 on November 7th later this year.
“I can’t wait until November when I turn 20 so no more teen years,” he said smiling.
“It does feel good to be like one of the youngest players. And, yeah, it feels nice
to be out here with — I played with Fred Couples at the Masters and he was calling me every day, “good shot, kid.” So, it’s fun.”
end
